Many people turn to Jesus, knowing they want and need His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND GRACE. Yet they can’t quite make themselves believe that they are LOVABLE ENOUGH to deserve it. They try praying more, serving more, and reading their Bible more, but still feel defeated and discouraged. The devil tempts us to feel that way, so that we will not see ourselves as God sees us, therefore we continue to try to “earn” our relationship with Jesus. It is impossible to earn it…
We must CONFESS TO GOD that we believe, “God so loved (agapaō: the unconditional, supernatural love of God) the world that HE GAVE His only begotten Son (for me), that whoever believes in Him SHOULD NOT PERISH but have EVERLASTING LIFE.” (John 3:16)
This is what God says to us, “YOU are uniquely gifted, uniquely purposed, a one-of-a-kind creation that I birthed for good plans and good purposes. Only YOU can do the things God has in mind for you! God doesn’t say, “I will love you when….” God says, “I LOVE YOU NOW, JUST AS YOU ARE!” “Come to Me…Take My yoke upon you and LEARN FROM ME…” (Matt. 11:28-29)
“…I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I WILL LISTEN TO YOU. And you will seek Me and FIND ME, when you search for Me with ALL YOUR HEART.” (Jer. 29:11-13)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham